Arkansas Works Members

Don’t Lose Your Health Coverage

Do you get QualChoice health insurance through the Arkansas Works program? You may have to report work hours to DHS to keep your coverage. Starting January 1, 2019, Arkansas Works members ages 19-30 must report as exempt or log their work hours online each month. Members ages 30-49 started the requirement in June 2018. Education, volunteer and training hours also count.

Arkansas Works work requirement: Introduction to changes

How do I know if I have to report work activities to the Department of Human Services (DHS)?

If any of the statements below are true, then you may have an exemption and may not have to report. But you do have to report your exemption to DHS.

I get SNAP and I do not have to report work activities to keep my SNAP benefits.

I get TEA Cash Assistance.

I get Unemployment Benefits.

I work and make more than $736 a month before taxes.

I have a disability (includes blindness) or need help with daily living activities.

I have a child under 18 in my home.

I am pregnant or was pregnant within the last 60 days.

I care for a person who cannot care for him/herself.

I can't work or look for work because of a short-term disability.

I am in an alcohol or drug treatment program.

I go to school, vocational or job training full time.

If none of the statements are true, then you must report work activities every month. Watch for a letter from DHS saying when your work requirement begins.

All adults in your household who get Arkansas Works should read these statements to see if they must report work activities.

Work, volunteer or go to school 80 hours each month.

You may combine hours from working at a job, looking for a job, going to school or volunteering.

If you do not report 80 hours of work activity by the deadline each month, you will have a strike against you. This means you did not meet the requirement for that month and are non-compliant.

If you are non-compliant for any 3 months in one calendar year (January through December):

You will lose your Arkansas Works insurance.

Your insurance will stop at the end of your 3rd month of non-compliance.

You will not be able to get Arkansas Works insurance for the rest of the year (through December).

Even if your case changes later in the year and you no longer have to report work activity, you cannot get Arkansas Works coverage until the next year. You will have to reapply and prove that you are eligible during the next open enrollment period.

You may still be eligible for Medicaid under another category.

If you could not do 80 hours of work activity because of an emergency or serious life-changing event*, you can request a good cause exemption. Contact your local DHS county office.